Looking Back - Herald files

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on the 9 May 2007

100 YEARS AGO Friday May 9, 1907
THE members of Saltcoats YMCA, meeting in the Christian Institute on Tuesday, honoured their president, Mr AJ Ritchie, by presenting him with a drawing room clock and vases to match. They presented two gold rings to Mrs Ritchie.

MR William Love jun, son of Mr Love, painter, Saltcoats, has been appointed organist of the Congregational Church, Parkhead, Glasgow. There were 69 applicants

CAPTAIN Murphy, Ardrossan, has been successful in obtaining an extra master's ticket at a recent examination and Mr Fred Papple, Saltcouts, passed his final master's certificate.

THE Northern District Committee of Ayr County Council have unanimously resolved to extend the Stevenston Lighting District by including an area at Ardoch Crescent and Dynamite Road.

A CHAUFFEUR was fined £3 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court for driving a motor car at a speed of 20 miles per hour at Seamill, where the speed limit was limited to 10 miles per hour. He was timed by local constables with a stop watch.

AT the opening of Ardrossan Bowling Green last Saturday the Vice-President's team (William McQueen, Lambert, J Hamilton, William Davidson, A Tait) had a majority of three shots over the President's team (Dr John Allan, Barclay, Ex-Baillie Miller, William Frew and T Guthrie,

50 YEARS AGO Friday May 10, 1957
THERE was some excitement in Ardrossan last weekend when a suspected unexploded bomb was discovered among rocks in the sea near the Shell refinery. At low tide on Saturday morning a local man, James Kelly of 9 Dock Road, saw the bomb in the water and notified the harbour authorities, who in turn, contacted the police.

The police then got in touch with the Royal Navy Armaments Depot at Beith, with a request to send experts to deal with the bomb. When one official arrived, he had a look at the bomb and told the police it appeared to be dangerous. Owing to its proximity to the refinery it was thought advisable that the bomb should be removed. The object was blown up by the Scottish Bomb Command disposal team and found to be an empty bomb case and not in the least dangerous

ARDROSSAN Police Station has been almost completely renovated, and the improvements carried out make it one of the best police stations in and around this area. It has now a private room for conducting interviews.

TUESDAY was polling day in the Ardrossan Municipal Elections which took place all over Scotland. In Ardrossan, Labour, who previously only had one seat in the Town Council, gained another from the Independents. There were six candidates for three seats and throughout the day the polling stations were fairly quiet but became busier in the evening. When the results were announced it was found that Mr William Currie (Labour), who has served on the Council for 12 years, hand topped the poll. followed by another retiring member, Mr D Alcroft (Independent). The remaining successful candidate was a newcomer, Mr James McIntosh (Labour), who polled 16 votes more than the other retiring Independent member, Mr JR Douglas.

MR Gilbert McKenzie, who resides in Stevenston, has resigned the managership of Greenock Morton and will, when he returns from a coaching engagement in South Africa, act as a manager to an Irish club.

THERE was marked apathy in the Municipal Election at Stevenson on Tuesday, the voting percentage being only 30.9-a drop of almost 14 per cent compared with the election last year., Labour gained two seats and control in the Council

25 YEARS AGO Friday May 7, 1982
AS the sands of time ran out for the 900 jobs at Ayrshire Marine Constructors Yard, Hunterston, angry words are being said in the House of Commons.
They are coming from Central Ayrshire MP David Lambie, who blames Government policy for starving Scotland's oil-related construction yards of orders. Nine hundred AMC workers were put on 90 days redundancy notice 12 days ago because there is no now new order to replace the one nearing completion at the yard. Mr Lambic says the high taxation policy is bleeding the oil companies dry. He lobbied to get the oil companies a reprieve in order to secure work for the AMC yard and others in order to secure work for the AMC yard and others in Scotland.

In a stirring speech, Mr Lambie said: "The multi-national oil companies, who supported the election of the Tory Government, have been shattered by the policies carried out by the Government in the last three years. With the oil companies holding back on billions of pounds worth of North Sea development - no to say taking up the battle of taxation-I believe that we are heading for a period of prolonged period of nervous indecision."

TOURISM on Arran has been given a huge boost with the announcement that the Government will subsidise a new custom built ferry.
The benefits of a boat built specifically for the Ardrossan to Arran ran are countless, many islanders believe. Mr Jim Maluch, chairman of the Artan Tourist Organisation, commented: The new boat could bring back some of the weekend trade which has declined in recent years.

The modern, purpose-built boat which will serve the island in summer and winter - instead of the present system which has two boats - will be more comfortable. "People have become more used to pleasant travelling conditions," said Mr Maluch. "So there is no reason why Arran should not have a pleasant ferry." It is also hoped that the service will be more efficient and that with modem equipment, diversions to Gourock in bad weather could be avoided. The boat service would be ideal. Mr Maluch believes, if Road Equivalent Tariff were introduced. "We hope the capital cost of the new boat will not be born by the people of Arran.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on the 16 May 2007

100 YEARS AGO Friday May 17, 1907
A WHIPPET race was an added attraction to a football match held between Ardrossan Celtic and Ardrossan Dramatic Company.

ON Saturday last the annual show of horses, cattle and sheep under the auspices of Ardrossan and West Kilbride Farmers' Society was held in the field adjoining Saltcoats Public School Special prizes for horses were won by Mr Dugald McKinnon, West Kilbride, and for cattle by Mr William Hogarth, Ardrossan.

SALTCOATS Town Council have remitted to a committee for consideration a proposal that a roadway be formed on the Braes

IN a competition for the President's Cup of the St Andrew's Ambulance Association in Glasgow, second place was won by the team from the Caley Railway Ardrossan - Messrs Frame, G Clark. A Clark, P McCallum and David Frame.

50 YEARS AGO Friday May 17, 1957
SALTCOATS Town Council made history on Friday evening when they appointed a woman to be Provost of the Burgh. They also took an unusual step by appointing ex-Provost James Reid to be assessor at the Convention of Royal Burghs, a post which is filled in most Burghs by the Town Clerk, Over 50 members of the public were crammed into the Council Chambers.

Councillor Mulgrew moved the appointment of Bailie Mrs Robina Lambie. He felt sure he was speaking on behalf of the people of Saltcoats when he said that a more popular choice could not be made. Her appointment would be a fitting tribute, not only to Mrs Lambie's work inside the Council Chamber, but also to the work she did outside the Council. Mrs Lambie was "robed" by Bailie Adair and, on taking the chair, said she felt highly honoured in being chosen as the first woman provost of the Burgh. She assured the Council that she would maintain the high name of Saltcoats and also uphold the dignity of the Provostship to the best of her ability

She has been prominent in local government for many years and has been a Justice of the Peace since 1942. Since her election to the Town Council in 1945 she has distinguished herself in committee work and also in connection with the County Council and its Education Committee,

THE electricity supply to shops and offices in Dockhead Street, Saltcoats, was interrupted on Saturday morning, after a motor car had mounted the pavement and damaged a switch box at Victoria Place.

PLANS for the improvement of houses at 12-20 Springvale Place, Saltcoats, have been approved by the Department of Health, and the Town Council have agreed to carry out the work in two stages.

THE Housing Committee of Stevenson Town Council have resolved that Mr Rennie, as architect, be instructed to prepare layouts and plans for the erection of old people's houses and single persons' houses fronting Arthur Street and such other blocks as might be practicable, fronting Hillside Street.

THE Kirkin o' the Council took place Sunday last in the Erskine Church, Kilwinning,

A VERY enjoyable programme of dancing and singing was given in the Public Hall on Wednesday of last week by the pupils of Mrs Jean Martin, Kilbirnie. Proceeds were in aid of British Legion Funds, and Mrs C Stevenson expressed thanks to Mrs Martin and all who had assisted in any way. *** A FIRE at Ardneil Farm, West Kilbride, on Thursday of last week, destroyed a burn containing 50 tons of unthreshed oats and 5000 potato crates. The blaze lasted from around 3pin until midnight. Ardrossan Fire Brigade were summoned when the outbreak was discovered.

25 YEARS AGO Friday May 21, 1982
SCUBA diver Colin Andrews was snatched from death while diving off Saltcoats Harbour. He was underwater when he blacked out and as he floated to the surface unconscious his scuba diving instructor Walter Gair swam over to the rescue. Colin had stopped breathing. Walter pulled Calin to the shore and gave him the kiss of life". That's what saved my life," said Colin from his home, at 54 Dockhead Street, Saltcoats Colin (37), a labourer at Hunterston construction yard told his story to the Herald.

"I had been swimming for about an hour and had made several dives. "I wasn't very deep down when I blacked out. It was very sudden and I don't remember anything else expect wakening up in Kilmarnock Infirmary wondering where I was "The doctors said I was very lucky to be alive. I was floating face down in the water when Walter pulled me ashore - apparently I had swallowed a lot of salt water." This week Colin is recovering from his ordeal at home but he says it won't pat him off scuba diving. "These things can just happen I suppose but as soon as I am fit again I'll be diving again," he said.

Walter Gair, of 52G Canal Street, Saltcoats, is a former professional diver so he knew exactly what to do when faced with the emergency. He has been teaching Colin the ropes for the past few weeks. "I have only been scuba diving four times." said Colin.
And not surprisingly Colin concluded: "I am extremely grateful to Walter.... he saved my life. If he hadn't acted so quickly I wouldn't be talking to you today."

HOSPITAL staff throughout Ayrshire staged a one-day strike on Wednesday as a massive show of strength on their pay fight with the Government.
Those taking part included administration, clerical. laundry, catering and domestic staff. They set up pickets outside Ravenspark and Ayrshire Central Hospitals. Health service unions allowed nurses to work through the strike so that patients were not put at risk and emergency services were provided. Representatives of unions NALGO, NUPE and ASMTS met Ayrshire and Arran Health Board officials last week to discuss what cover would be provided


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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on the 23 May 2007

100 YEARS AGO Friday May 24, 1907
THE consent of the Board of Trade to the formation of Saltcoats Bathing Pond has been received, and the offer from McAndrew contractor, Ayr, amounting to £521 has been accepted by the Town Council.

LAST night, Macdonald, the anti-popery orator from Kilwinning. paid a visit to Saltcoats to deliver a lecture in Station Square, but a crowd of several hundreds proved hostile and many times Macdonald's hat was knocked off by spectators' umbrellas. After a quarter of an hour he left by the first train.

A PETITION by the managers of the Erskine UF Church, Saltcoats, to extend and alter their church hall has been granted by the Dean of Guild Court.

A FRESH memorandum issued by the Churches Commission has modified local church allocations. South Beach UF congregation now get back their church and hall but give their manse to the Free Church; Landsborough UE congregation retain church and manse but give their hall to the Free Church, and Stevenston UF Church retain church and manse but give up their claim to Woodside Hall.

AT an essay competition held in Kilwinning Public School by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals the winners were: - 1 Annic Auld: 2 May Jamieson: 3. Maggie Seymour.

AT the second annual meeting of Ardrossan Sick Nursing Association it was stated that Nurse Strang had paid 1783 visits during the year and assisted at 11 operations.

THIS being term time, 404 notices of removal have been lodged at the Saltcoats Gas Company Office. . ..

THE successful competitor in the Brisbane Bursary Competition was Alex Gemmill, son of Mr John Gemmill. Ashfield.

50 YEARS AGO Friday May 24, 1957
MR Harry Kemp, the well-known picture house owner. who resides at South Crescent, Ardrossan, arrived home this week after a three-months' world tour. He looked sun-burned and in the best of health. But he soon picked up a cold on arriving back home.

PROVOST Hogarth, accompanied by members and officials of Ardrossan Town Council, attended the forenoon service in St John's Church, Ardrossan, on Sunday when the traditional Kirkin of the Council was observed in the presence of a large congregation. The Provost, who was wearing his civic chain and robes of office, read the scripture lesson, and an inspiring sermon, appropriate to the occasion, was preached by the Rev AR Wedderspoon, BD..

THE completion of 44 years of service with ICI and its predecessors was marked for Mr John Kirkby, a joiner in Ardeer Factory. last Friday evening when he was guest of friends and colleagues in the Ardchoille Hotel, Stevenston. There he received a wallet of notes - the gift of men who had known and worked with him during his service - and accepted the token presentation of a carpet, the gift of ICI

The Company's gift was presented by Mr AJ Wright. an assistant work's engineer in Ardeer. Before leaving the Factory, Mr Kirkby received his Scroll of Service from the work's engincer, Mr HS Sayles.

ARDROSSAN Harbour Company gave 70 of their employees and their wives an outing to Burus Monument, West Kilbride and accompanied them.

DUNCAN Gillan, former player with Saltcoats Vics, and trainer of Winton Rovers, has arrived in Canada where he intends to settle down. Duncan is a bricklayer to trade, and while serving in the Navy he was honoured for saving a shipmate at sea.

25 YEARS AGO Friday May 28, 1982
AN 11th hour scramble to find a new order for Hunterston's oil rig construction yard is on... and there are only 15 more days to secure work left for the 900-strong workforce. The fight for an order to replace the mammoth £50m rig which is almost complete is reaching fever point as the crisis of a yard shutdown looms nearer.

On March 16 the entire workforce at Ayrshire Marine Construction were placed on 90 days redundancy notice - 75 of those days have now passed while frantic efforts to secure a new order have turned up blank. Crucial word from British Gas is expected soon regarding a bid the yard put in for the building of a substantial rig but it is expected that jobs will be lost before any announcement will be made on where the onder will be placed.
Even if, in the face of fierce competition from other yards, AMC secure the British Gas order it will not be enough to maintain the whole workforce.
Mr Jim Cochrane, a senior management official at Hunterston said: "It would be enough to secure a substantial part of the workforce but we don't expect to hear if we are getting the order before next month." Tremendous efforts are being made at both local and national levels to secure a future for the Hunterston yard.

WHEN a television newsflash stated that HMS Antelope had sunk in the Falkland Islands war zone 8,000 miles away an Ardrossan mother's heart sunk with it. For her son was aboard the ship that was blasted by an Argentinian fighter plane. Mrs Elizabeth Kincaid of 11 Queens Drive had an anxious night on Monday awaiting news of her son William, who is a Royal Navy petty officer.

Sharing that worry was William's sister Mrs Elizabeth Dodds of 20 Ardneil Court, Ardrossan. The tense waiting ended on Tuesday night when confirmation was received that William (37) was safe. "We were all so relieved," said Mrs Dodds, but it's not over yet. William is still out there and we don't yet know which ship he is aboard. We just have to keep our eye on every news bulletin." William joined the Royal Navy at the age of 17 years and served for two years at HMS Gannet, Prestwick during his 20 years in the services.

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50 YEARS AGO Friday May 24, 1957
MR Harry Kemp, the well-known picture house owner. who resides at South Crescent, Ardrossan, arrived home this week after a three-months' world tour. He looked sun-burned and in the best of health. But he soon picked up a cold on arriving back home.
If you have a spare hour.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on the 30 May 2007

100 YEARS AGO Friday May 31, 1907
MR HUGH A Hamilton, writer, has removed his office from Glasgow to Windmill Street, Saltcoats where he will carry on business as a Law Agent.

MR JAMES Barbour, assistant gas manage, Saltcoats, has been successful in obtaining a 1st certificate and first prize in a class for Gas Distribution and Lighting at Glasgow Technical College.

Mr THOMAS Adams has been appointed conductor of Park United Free Church Choir in conjunction with Mr Boyd Goodwin as organist.

THE position by the Session of the Parish of Ardrossan to erect a new Parish Church in Caledonia Road Saltcoats, was granted by the Saltcoats Dean of Guild Court on Monday.

AN Attraction at Saltcoats Fair is the first visit of Wilmot's electric racing motor cars. A benefit night is announced and it is stated that Mr Wilmot will hand over the whole of the proceeds drawn from the electric cars the benefit of the poor of Saltcoats.

THE Stevenston United Free Church congregation held their last meeting in the United Free Church on Monday, the Rev Samuel McCune presiding. They unanimously resolved that a new church be erected in Stevenston and after the meeting a fitting took place of all the congregations belongings.

In an annual bowling competition at Glasgow a silver cup, open to master bakers and their sons, the winning rink out of 36. was that skipped by Mr James Patrick, Stevenston, the other players being Messrs James Morrison, Stevenston, John Gilles, Beith and William Wilson, Largs.

In Kilwinning the new street which has been formed by the recently erected cottages in the Woodwynd is to be named Hamilton Street as a compliment to the worthy Provost.

50 YEARS AGO Friday May 31, 1957
SIX youths rowed a ship's lifeboat boat from Troon to Saltcoats Harbour last Saturday.

A Saltcoats lad John Kean, Kerr Avenue bought the boat at Troon. His mates were Chris Townsley (Saltcoats). William Durham, Arthur Olsen and jerry McCabe (Stevenston), and Hugh Gilmour (Dreghorn).

They were unaware that the Troon Lifeboat was looking for them. It was recalled by wireless when the information was given that the lads had reached their destination. The offshore wind had the lads up against it, but they won through.

THE Vessel Osbourne Queen, built and fitted out by Ardrossan Drydock Company Ltd, was handed over to the owners on Wednesday. The builders have done a nice job was the opinon of the people who had gathered at the harbour to see her off.

CAPTAIN John Cameron has been appointed master of the Glen Sannox the new passenger motor car ferry for the Arran service.

He has commanded several of the Clyde steamers since the Second World War in which he rendered distinguished service at Dunkirk while serving in the paddle steamer Waverley commissioned as a minesweeper. The Waverley was bombed and and sunk while assisting while assisting in the evacuation of the BEF.

ARDROSSAN burgh workmen were observed on Wednesday putting the finishing touches to deck chairs at the old court Castlecraigs. The chairs will be on hire at the South Shore this summer.

SURELY a case can be made out for more pedestrian crossings in Kilwinning, especially at Woodwynd - Almswall corners, and not forgetting the bottle neck at Byres Road, which is frequented by many school children.

THE public park in Kilwinning is beginning to take on a "new look" and is now coming into its own. On Sunday last many people took advantage of the fine weather to visit the grounds and at the same time to see the archers in action.

25 YEARS AGO Friday June 4, 1982
CUNNINGHAME District Council have threatened to report a Scottish National Party election agent in West Kilbride to the Procurator Fiscal in Kilmarnock unless the SNP stickers on telegraph poles along the Fairlie/Ardrossan Road are removed. Speaking at a council planning meeting on Tuesday night Councilor Jack Carson said: "This committee should take action to have these SNP stickers removed." And added that if they were not removed the matter could be reported to the courts as it was a criminal offence to display political election or posters more than 14 days after an election.

The offending stickers were stuck on to the telegraph poles for the May 6 regional election under the instruction of Mr Jim Kerr, SNP election agent for candidate Bob Liddell. A council official advised the committee that Mr Liddell would be libel of a fine of up to £50 for not having the sticker removed by May 20 and that he would be liable to a fine of forty shillings for every day after that while the stickers remained on show.

On Wednesday the Herald contacted Mr Kerr at his West Kibride home and told him of the council's proposal. He said: "would have thought the district Council would have had more important things to devote their time to bearing in mind the state of the district. It was purely an oversight that they were not taken down immediately after the election. We put up 40 posters in and around West Kibride and all but six have been taken down. Mr Kerr added that he would take the stickers down before the weekend.

THE electrification of Ayrshire rail link to Glasgow should not being implemented at the expense of road improvement. That is the message delivered to the Government and Strathclyde Region by Cunninghame District Council. And the district council are not mincing their words. "We'll put in the strongest possible terms to that what we want and what we need is a trunk road between Cunninghame and the M8." said Councilor Jim Clements.

The campaign for better road links has been Waged in North Ayrshire since 1982 and now it seems that the Government want to take Cunninghame of the waiting list because of the electrification plan.

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on the 6, June 2007

100 YEARS AGO Friday June 7, 1907
THE following gentlemen have been appointed Justices of the Peace for the County: - Charles J Shearer, Ardrossan; Dewar Paton, Largs; Hugh Wallace, Stevenson; AB Birkmyre Scott, Stevenston.

THE ceremony at cutting the first sod for the erection of the new Parish Church in Saltcoats at the site adjacent to the public school, took place at night. Mr Mcisaac cut the sod.

MR JAMES Reeves of Stevenson walked from Glasgow to Saltcoats last Saturday in five hours 12 minutes

STEVENSTON School Board have resolved to add an intermediate department to the present school at a cost of £1250,

AMONG the prizewinners at the sports of the Volunteer Artillery and Ardrossan Academy Cadets were. - Artillery-Br. Davis, Gr. McCreadie, Br. Currie, Gr Neill, Gr. Thomson and Gr. Frew. Cadets - Cat Hogarth, Christie Sgt. McBean, Sgt. Miner, Cat Fullerton, Cal Sillers Cal Kerr

AT a grand musical fete and promenade concert held in Melbourne Park, Saltcoats on Saturday one of the attractions was the New Disc Machine which sounds forth the actual human voice or orchestral place as distinctly as the original and can be heard in the open air by 20.000 people.

50 YEARS AGO Friday June 7, 1957
A RETIREMENT presentation in the Safety Fuse canteen at Ardeer marked the end of 47 years service to ICI and its predecessors by Mr Adam Hamilton. It also brought to an end a long family association with the factory, for Mr Hamilton was the last of seven brothers to work there. Three sisters have also been employed at Ardeer.

When he made the presentation the Company's certificate of service and a wad of notes and friends from friends and colleagues - Mr MG Thomson, chief superintendent described the Hamilton family's record of service as outstanding. Adam, he said was one of a family of 12 all but two of whom had worked at Ardeer. His father had been employed there too and his wife and daughter before they married. He had also many relatives in Ardeer-nieces, nephews, cousins

ON Saltcoats Beach the other day a man found an object which looked dangerous. He took it to the police, who in turn got in touch with the navel authorities. Then it was learned that was a naval smoke float and that the pin was out of it.

ON Sunday May 26, the start of the Eglinton Hotel Ardrossan, accompanied by friends, hold their filth annual outing. Leaving the hotel at 9am the party proceeded to Girvan, where they had a short break, and then went on to Newton Stewart where a lunch was served. At the end of two hours, the party continued their journey through Kirkcudbright to Castle Douglas, and on to New Galloway, where they had tea.

THE sixth Marquis of Ailsa. Lord Angus Kennedy, died last Saturday in an Ayr Hospital at the age of 75. The Marquis was the brother of the late Marquis of Ailsa, Charles Kennedy, who gifted his family seat, Culzean Castle, Ayrshire, to the National Trust. Lord Angus Kennedy succeeded in the title after his brother's death a year ago. The title goes to his only son, Archibald David Kennedy, who is 31 years of age.

MISS Annie Reid, wife of the former Provost of Saltcoats, returned home on Sunday evening. after a three weeks visit to Russia. Mrs Reid was one of a delegation of six, who made the trip as the guests of VOKS-a large and influential Russian publishing firm that specialises in cultural magazines.

25 YEARS AGO Friday June 11, 1982
CELTIC footballer Mark Reid from Saltcoats was teamed up for his own match of the day on Saturday when he married Ardrossan girl Alice Sharkey. And lending Mark were other local Celtic stars - Defender Roy Aitken from Ardrossan and Saltcoats' Bobby Lennox who now manages the Parkhead club's reserve side. Full-back Mark has been on Celtic's books since leaving school and in the last two years has made the left back position his own. Now on honeymoon, the youngster's thoughts may just wonder to Spain where his club captain Danny McGrain is starring for Scotland in the World Cup.

THREE Glasgow girls whose inflatable dinghy was in danger of drifting out to sea were rescued by 17-year old Alan Fulton on Sunday. Alan, 63 Shore Road, Stevenson, fetched his swimming trunks after a distraught woman came to his home to telephone. While a neighbour called the coastguard, Alan put on his trunks and rushed to the shore at Stevenson. Battling against currents and freezing water, he reached the dinghy, containing two of the three girls.

I swam straight out to them he said. One of the girls was in the water trying to pull the dinghy In but was not making any progress. As the onlookers watched from the shore on Sunday afternoon, Alan brought the girls ashore. None the worse for their ordeal Jane Martin (18), Glentaire Road, 15-year-old Melissa Capuano, Craigton Road, and Maria Harper (14) also Craigton Road, all returned home-after Alan was thanked.

HOSPITALS in North Ayrshire have been plunged into chaos, and one of the worst hit is Ravenspark on the outskirts of Kilwinning. Patients there are lying on paper sheets and there are no towels left in the Geriatric psychiatric hospital. Laundry Services were disrupted during one day stoppages by NHS union members fighting for a realistic pay rise, but this week the situation became dire in North Ayrshire when engineering union members joined their colleagues in the south of the county in an all-out strike in support of a bonus payments row which erupted when they refused to cross picket lines during the dispute.


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HOSPITALS in North Ayrshire have been plunged into chaos, and one of the worst hit is Ravenspark on the outskirts of Kilwinning. Patients there are lying on paper sheets and there are no towels left in the Geriatric psychiatric hospital.
And 30 or 40 years later ...
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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on Friday 13, June 2007

100 YEARS AGO Friday June 14, 1907
THE death occurred on Saturday of the Rev John Drennan McCall, minister of the New Parish Church, Ardrossan. He was in his 80th year and the 54th year of his ministry.

THE new "twin screw steamer. Hazel has begun her regular sailings between Ardrossan and Portrush.

LADY bathers will be pleased to know that the Saltcoats bathing pond will be set apart for their sole use for an hour each morning. A nominal rent of 1/- is to be charged for the pond by Lords Eglinton and Montgomerie.

THE Ardrossan and Saltcoats Shakespeare Reading Club have presented Mr CJ Shearer with a testimonial in recognition of his service as president during nine years past.

THERE are only 19 paupers on the roll in West Kibride - the lowest since the passing of the Poor Law. Of these only 12 are resident.

THE keys of the Landsborough Hall have been transmitted to the law agents of Edinburgh for delivery to the Free Church

THE miners in the employ of Messrs Baird & Co, Kilwinning went on their first annual excursion last Saturday to Dunoon. One of their number had to be rescued from drowning by a Dunoon miner.

50 YEARS AGO Friday June 14, 1957
CONGRATULATIONS on the completion of a "courageous project in extending the 95-year old church of St Brigid, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, were accorded on Sunday by the Bishop of Galloway, the Right Rev Joseph McGee, when he presided at the Solemn Pontifical High Mass at 11.30 am to bless the new extension. The crowded congregation of near 600 heard Bishop McGee paid tribute to the parish priest, the Very Rev Dermot Canan O'Reilly, his assistant, the Rev Francis A kleman; the congregation and the technical skill of those who had made of the plans a living reality. The result of these joint efforts is a remarkable achievement in fusion of a near-century old church with an extension of the sanctuary, new baptistry and porch; two sacrisistries, side chapel and other facilities - Work which took only six months to complete to temporary use" stage and cost a total of £20,000.

A SURFACE gully has been installed to prevent flooding of the area to the rear and on the west side of the Beach Pavilion, Saltcoats.

ON Saturday of next week, June 22, the Queen of the Sea, Ruby Soden is to be duly crowned outside the Beach Pavilion in Saltcoats, But Queen Ruby has decided to show herself to her subjects on the previous evening, Friday June 21. She will proceed in her Royal coach from her home in Mayfield Road to the Town Hall in

25 YEARS AGO Friday June 18, 1982
THE views of many of Dalry's residents have been ignored by Cunninghame District Council and an apology is owed to public house owners and their clients, claimed the group opposed to Dalry's second smokeless zone this week. Mr AG Reid, spokesman for the Action Group to Retain Coal Wood Fires, believes that the council's comments on a petition they threw out at last week's Environmental Health meeting have derogatory implications unworthy of CDC

He believes an apology should be made for the "implied insult. The Council claimed that the petition was mainly signed in public houses and that many signatures were already duplicated. Dr Reid commented: They conveniently ignore cafes, hotels and grocers where the petition was also signed."

While Dr Reid admits that some signatures may have been duplicated resulting from misplaced enthusiasm" he does not believe they detract from the genuine signatures of people who want to keep their coal and wood fires. "Just a few ballot papers do not invalidate an entire election." He pointed out that many people signed the petition to support the principle of choice in the matter.

The Action Group's latest plans are to hold a public meeting on the question of smokeless zone -depending on the outcome of a council meeting on Tuesday. It has already been given the go ahead at last week's committee meeting but has still to be approved by the full council. CDC claim that the smoke levels in Dalry are above the EEC limits so they would be required to take action in any case.

THE former Ladyland Primary School, now lying derelict in Kilbirnie, could soon be the home for an entirely new business venture in the Garnock Valley. For the building has been earmarked as the launch pad for community workshops to be run under the auspices of the Garnock Valley Community Project. The ambitious scheme is the brainchild of Project Leader, Alex Downie, who has been involved in similar schemes in other parts of the country,

The idea behind community workshops is to give individuals and small working groups rent free accommodation and financial help to develop their business venture. At Ladyland School there will be nine units -two large, four medium and three small-to house potential customers.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original
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Re: Looking Back - Herald files

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on Friday 20 June 1907

100 YEARS AGO Friday 21, June 1907
ON Sabbath last the South Beach United Free Congregation returned to their own church building after about two and a half years' enforced absence from it.

THE first annual carbine shoot for the Blakely Cup, presented for competition to Ardrossan Academy Cadets, had the following results: -1 Corporal Douglas Mackay 2 Sergeant James Laughland, 3 Sgt James Chrystie; 4 Cadet Lionel Sillars:5 Sgt Robert Miller, 6 Bugler Robert Wilson.

AT the opening cruise of Ardrossan Model Yacht Club the winners were 1 A McLean sen: 2 A McLean, jun; 3 Robert Crawford: 4 A Hughes.

IN a cricket match played at Irvine, Ardrossan Academy (Roy Street), Alex McCallum, John Kater, Tom Neil, Tom Watson, W Paton, George Mathie, R Brown, George Guthrie, T Anderson and J Hamilton Junior) scored 33, and Irvine Royal Academy (J Wylie, J McPhall, H Blood, JW Wyle, J Hall, B Longmuir, R Reid, J Barnett, J Laird, R Colvin and J Hamilton

IN an advertisement a holiday tours agency quotes for a week in Lucerne at 6 guineas, in Paris for 43 guineas.

50 YEARS AGO Friday 21, June 1957
ON Sunday afternoon, the fire brigade were called to Kilwinning where rags, Inside a mechanical digger had been set alight by the sun. The firemen managed to stop the blaze before any serious damage could be caused to the machine.

THE layout and display in the floral gardens on both sides of the Galloway burn beside Saltcoats Council chambers always attracts a lot of attention and admiration. One feature on the Ardrossan side this year is a floral representation of the Boy Scout badge, to mark the jubilee year of the Boy Scout Movement. This was a clever bit of work on the part of the Ardrossan Burgh gardener and his staff.

A BIG attraction for the kiddies will be the parade of the baby elephants from Saltcoats Station to the circus ground today (Friday) at 12 30pm, and no doubt many of the youngsters will spend as much of their dinner hour as possible watching the circus being erected.

STEVENSTON Shore was exceptionally busy last Saturday and Sunday, large numbers of day tippers visiting the town. There were no unusual incidents but the police were kept busy looking after lost children.

THE North Shore at Ardrossan seemed the main destination last weekend for seldom have so many cars - and other vehicles more difficult to Identify - been seen parked along the grass verge as far as Seamill.

WHEN the Housing Committee of Ardrossan Town Council carry out their inspection of the gardens at Council houses, on Monday July 1, they will be agreeably surprised at the attractive displays which the majority of the tenants have managed to provide.

LAST Saturday an elderly man collapsed at Ardrossan Railway Station while waiting for a train to Glasgow. He was removed to Kilmarnock Infirmary and it is believed that he is making progress

STARTING tomorrow (Saturday), a Dalry skiffle group will join the Blue Star Sexdette in providing the music at the dancing in the Public Hall.

IN Ardrossan the police were kept on the move, patrolling the shore, which was well crowded, and in regulating the traffic and the parking of cars. Over 7000 people arrived by special trains on Sunday and all the bus services between Glasgow and Ardrossan were dedicated, with extra buses also being run

25 YEARS AGO Friday 25, June 1982
JANET and Ronald Johnson from West Kibride shared a parents' joy with the Royal Couple on Tuesday when their first son was born. Only a few hours before Princess Diana, Janet gave birth to her first child and, she says: "My son was born 71b 4oz at 6.57pm -just beating the Royal baby on both accounts." The Johnsons live at 1A Overton Court Janet, who is originally from St Albans and Texan husband, Ronald, are overjoyed with their healthy little boy. Darren Arvid, but are glad they are not so much in the public eye. She did not expect Darren to share his birthday with Prince William, the new addition to the Royal family as he was due on June 13, but is amazed and happy that he does

THE poisoning of herring gulls by the hundreds on Horse Island off Ardrossan by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds wardens has been described as barbaric by a Stevenson nature lover. Last month the RSPB carried out a cul on the island, killing between 400 and 500 gulls in order to protect the tern population on the island.
The RSPB say they have to control the gull population to leave room for the terns and that the most humane way they can do that is to feed the birds a narcotic and poison. But RSPB warden David Mower admits the gulls do not always die quickly.

There are cases where a gull will only take part of the poison bait and fly away from the island before dying, but this does not often happen," he said. The RSPB wardens sail across to the island once a year and place small pieces of bread covered with a mixture of margarine, a narcotic and a poison chemical-alpha chlorolose - on each nest. The parent gull returns to the nest, eats the ball, nestles on its eggs and then dies. But several gulls are found on Ardrossan shore after the cull in a state of semi-coma. They are paralysed and die slowly

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original
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Re: Looking Back - Herald files

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on Friday June 27 2007

100 YEARS AGO Friday June 28 1907
A SALTCOATS schoolboy. Alex Smith, aged eight, was instantly killed by an express train when he was crossing the Caledonia Railway Line between Saltcoats and Stevenston on Saturday.

THE PRINCIPAL prizewinners at the elementary schools under the Ardrossan School Board were: -Eglinton School - Medal, James H Cumming, 1st prizes, Hugh McLachlan, James Inglis, John Cosgrove, James McGrath, William Mclachlan, Winton School - Dux, Margaret Murchie, prizes, Janet Hunter, Peggy Beck, May Bain, Susan Murchie, May Laird, Saltcoats Public School - Dux, David Campbell, Kate Nelson; prizes, Minnie McPherson, David Smith, Cissy Caldwell.

MISS Annie Hunter, Park Terrace, Saltcoats, has passed with honours in the senior division for pianoforte playing at the Glasgow branch of Trinity College.

WINNERS of the Campbell Brisbane Bursaries are: -William Clark, Kyleshill School: 2 James Brown; and 3, Margaret Ruxton, both of Saltcoats Public School.

A LOCAL circle of the Scottish Children's League of Pity was formed in Ardrossan last week, office bearers being - President, Mrs Copland, the Rectory, vice-president, Miss Campbell, Laurieston House, secretary and treasurer Miss Hogarth the Garth.

AMONG the prizewinners at the Constabulary Sports were the following from Ardrossan:- Sergeant Mcllwrick, PC's Farquharson, Naismith, Meiklejohn, Petrie and Sturrock.

THE police at Beith were on the watch for motors last Sunday and three captures were reported, one of the cars having been driven at 36 miles an hour. The report comments: "This is not slow travelling by any means."

50 YEARS AGO Friday June 28 1957
THE North Ayrshire Museum, which is housed in the Old Parish Church of Ardrossan at the Kirkgate. Saltcoats, was officially opened on Tuesday evening. There were 150 invited guests at the opening ceremony which took place within the building and presiding at the function was Police-Judge Hamilton G Kerr, Chairman of the Museum Association

IT was reported by the Planning Committee at Tuesday's meeting of Ayr County Council that a report was submitted by the Planning Officer on the general question of the redevelopment of town contres. The report contained a schedule which Indicated some of the Town Centres which could be considered to be suitable for redevelopment. After discussion of the various matters raised in the report it was agreed to re-affirm the decision to prepare, as early as possible a Comprahensive Development Area Plan for the centre of Beith.

SO far this summer, there have been no serious cuts from broken glass at Stevenson shore. It is interessing to note that the local Red Cross have a first aid post at the shore, where they do invaluable involuntary work.

THE artistes who entertained the company at the recent Labour Party reception to Provost Mrs Lambie were Mr Murphy, Mrs Cook, Netta Hamilton and Jimmy Gallacher and partner. These entertainers, who are all popular locally gave their services free in honour of the Provost

A SUCCESSFUL and happy evening was held to celebrate the retirement of one of Ardrossan Co-op Society's oldest and most respected employees, Mr Bob Brown of Saltcoats Grocery Branch. After a presentation to Bob and speeches by various members present, the company were entertained by Miss Margaret McDonald at the piano and Jimmy Gallacher and Turner Chalmers. The cafering was carried out by the Hotel Vernon.

Mr Bob Amott has retired from the employ of Ardrossan Harbour after 55 years' service. Bobby is one of four generations who have served with the Harbour Company

25 YEARS AGO Friday July 2 1982
FIRE ripped through a Stevenson house trapping a father and his 18-month-old son in an upstairs bedroom.
The drama heightened when 22-year-old Mr Richard Niven threw his son Scott out of the 16ft high window into the arms of a neighbour. Mr Niven then leaped out of the window as the fire raged in the room. Seconds before Mrs Mary Niven (21) escaped the bluze through the front door. The house at Hayocks Road, Stevenston, was completely gutted before fire appliances from Irvine North (Kilwinning) could put the fire out.

Mr Niven described their terrifying ordeal: "We were all asleep. We had celebrated my wife's 21st birthday that evening and Scott was in his own room. "At about 4am on Saturday I heard loud banging on the door and jumped out of bed. I could smell smoke and Mary and I rushed to the front door." When Mr Niven got his wife who is seven months pregnant- out of the house to safety he rushed upstairs to rescue his son. "I
snatched Scott out of bed but when I came the top of the stairs the flames were blocking the way. The smoke was the worst though."

With Scott wrapped in a blanket Mr Niven rushed back into the rear bedroom of the council house
All the windows to the front of the house had been smashed with the heat. Mary and Scott were taken to Kilmarnock Infirmary suffering from the effects of smoke. Richard was left with burns to his face although he did not need hospital treatment.

MORE than 50 A1 buses went off the road on Saturday as drivers and conductors protested about a wage offer. And when they returned to work on Sunday the A1 management had locked them out. The entire service was knocked out over the weekend and the Transport and General Worker Union will impose lightning strikes throughout this and next week in support of their wage claim. The A1 management have offered the employees a wage rise bringing the hourly rate up from £1.62 to £1.68. The union want the increase to bring them up to £1.80 per hour and say they will stage disruptive stoppages until negotiations start again.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original
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Re: Looking Back - Herald files

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25 YEARS AGO Friday July 2 1982
FIRE ripped through a Stevenson house trapping a father and his 18-month-old son in an upstairs bedroom.
The drama heightened when 22-year-old Mr Richard Niven threw his son Scott out of the 16ft high window into the arms of a neighbour. Mr Niven then leaped out of the window as the fire raged in the room. Seconds before Mrs Mary Niven (21) escaped the bluze through the front door. The house at Hayocks Road, Stevenston, was completely gutted before fire appliances from Irvine North (Kilwinning) could put the fire out.
We might have discussed this before? Is the fire station in Kilwinning or Stevenson-Confusing


Fire Station Details - Kilwinning/Irvine North/Irvine fire stationwww.firestations.org.uk › Station_Details › Irvine fire s...
Name: Kilwinning/Irvine North/Irvine fire station. Address: Pennyburn Bridge, Stevenston Road. Town: Stevenston. Brigade: Strathclyde. Postcode: KA20 3DA.
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Re: Looking Back - Herald files

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From the Archives of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald published on July 4, 2007

100 YEARS AGO July 5, 1907
THE new Bethany Hall, erected by the Christian Brethren in Stevenston on the east side of New Street, was inaugurated by a religious service on Sunday afternoon.

The members of Stevenston United Free Church enjoyed their annual trip by brake last Saturday, leaving Stevenson at half-past seven in the morning and having their breakfast at Kilmarnock two hours later, spending the day climbing Loudoun Hill and returning home at eleven that evening

William Simpson has commenced business as watchmaker and jeweller at 11 New Street, Stevenston

The Lusitania took a spin down the Firth on Tuesday and she was watched with great interest by a large number of people locally.

Two men from the district who have been studying for the priesthood, the Rev James McCarroll, Ardrossan and the Rev Patrick Reilly, Saltcoats, have been ordained as sub deacons.

50 YEARS AGO July 5, 1957
SALTCOATS and Ardrossan had an unusual spate of accidents last weekend, and as a result of one of them a police constable who collided with the offside running board of a lorry while on his motorcycle was taken to kilmarnock Infirmary suffering from a fractured pelvis and lacerations and abrasions to his face.

An accident resulting in injuries to three occupants of a car took place on Friday night at about 10 o'clock on Dalry Road, Saltcoats near Sharphill Cottages. The car was being driven towards the town when it skidded, left the road and was in collision with a telegraph pole.

At four on Monday afternoon a five-year-old boy received a slight injury when he ran out into the path of a car and was knocked down in Saltcoats, and an elderly woman received a cut on her leg when she stumbled getting on a stationary bus. There were also three accidents in Ardrossan.

Greenock dockers and their wives and families had an outing to South Beach on Monday. The trip was arranged by the Dockers Social Club and the party, numbering more than 200, arrived in six double decker buses.

The Rev Norman M Bowman, Minister of Bonhill Old Church for the past six years and formerly of the Calabar Mission Nigeria, has been chosen as minister of St Mary's Parish Church, Edinburgh. Mr Bowman is a son of the later Mr and Mrs John Bowman, Argyle Road, Saltcoats.

At one time last Sunday a queue for admissions had formed at the North Ayrshire Museum, Saltcoats. During the first five days the attendance was 1285 and the visitors' book reveals names from a over Scotland, England and Ireland as well as Americans from Flushing, USA and Canadians from Toronto, Ontario.

Mr William Kerr, a member of a well-known Saltcoats family, who has been on three months holiday from Durban, South Africa, sailed for home yesterday. During his visit here Mr Kerr made his headquarters with his sister, Mrs Wilson, at Rockypark Court, Saltcoats. Before he started on his journey Mr Kerr and his family held a farewell party in Saltcoats Station Hotel

25 YEARS AGO July 9, 1982
NOBEL'S factory worker William Burns had a three second escape from death last Wednesday after an explosion at his work area. Mr Burns (56) of New Street, Stevenston, was working alone when fire and then an explosion rocked the propulsive section at the factory. "A fire started and I ran out," said Mr Burns. I got caught in some of the blast. I had about three seconds to get out. M Burns had just resumed work on rolling nitro glycerine-based paste after a morning tea-break when the accident happened.

I am glad I am as fit as I am," Mr Burns reflected this week." Despite his quick reaction, however, the force of the blast caused severe superficial burns to his arms, hands and face. He was rushed immediately to hospital." Mrs Dorothy Burns (57) was informed of the accident to her husband while at her cable assembler's job with Metallic Manufacturing in Ardrossan. She said that the worry of an accident to her husband, who has worked for Nobel's for 20 years, is always present.

Mrs Burns was nursing her husband at home this week after his early release from Kilmarnock Infirmary, due to the health workers' dispute. Mr Burns is expected to be off work for several months.
News of the accident last Wednesday stunned workers at the Stevenson plant.

Extra local police and six mounted officers from Glasgow were called in last Saturday to handle the biggest public march to take place in Stevenston since 1958. Up to 7,000 people took part in a parade organised by the Loyal Orange Lodge of Scotland. It was the first time the annual celebration of the County Grand Lodge of Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Argyllshire had been held in Stevenson for 24 years. And the whole day went off with little or no hitches. The atmosphere in the town was terrific and the large Irish contingent enjoyed their day in Stevenston.

Thanks to Tom McGrattan for the original
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